October 19, 1945 - October 28, 2011
Jay Stephen "Steve" Russell, Col. US Army, Ret. Obituary (Age 66) Marched/parachuted into heaven Friday morning with his wife Sharon in his arms. Son Jay and daughter-in-law Mary as well as numerous family members and friends were nearby. Born in Hagerstown, MD October 19, 1945 to Junior Arbine Russell and Elizabeth "Betty" Lushbaugh Russell, Stephen spent his early years in Hagerstown, the oldest of three sons. He graduated from Saint Maria Goretti High School, became a lifeguard on the beach at Ocean City while attending the University of Maryland. His undergraduate studies were completed at Hampton Institute in 1972. He received his MBA from the University of Utah in 1978 and is a Graduate of the U.S. Army War College Class of 1986. Stephen joined the U.S. Army as a private in 1966, completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1967. During his long and exemplary career as an Army Logistics Officer and Master Parachutist, Stephen served in many challenging assignments in the United States and overseas. He served as a commander during his two combat tours, first in Viet Nam in 1969 and again during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia 1990-1991. Steve continued to serve his country in overseas and stateside assignments culminating in four consecutive command assignments. Stephen was especially proud of his Soldiers Medal, awarded for Heroism in Peacetime when he saved the lives of two swimmers being swept to sea while stationed at Fort Storey, WV. Other military awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Bronze Star (three awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Achievement Medal. He retired from the U.S. Army in October 1994, stating, "I'm leaving behind one of the greatest loves of my life - being a soldier in the service of my country." Stephen and his wife Sharon relocated from his last command in Okinawa, settling in the Spokane area in late 1994. He began his successful second career as a Realtor with Tomlinson Real Estate Company, spending approximately 15 years in that endeavor. Hitting the ground running in a terrible market he was Rookie of the Year for Tomlinson and a member of the Presidents Club each year of his real estate career. An avid flyfisherman, he and Sharon were often on the water with their beloved Labs fishing for trout in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Never one to take an activity lightly, the flyfishing activity included not only the fishing, but creating and tying custom fly's, and spending hours researching the habits of the trout and new places to fish. He later turned his hand to steelheading which was a family passion, especially when adding a camper to the equation on the Grand Ronde and road-tripping it to Alaska for the Reds! Outdoor activity in general were interests of Steve and included bow hunting, road bike riding, camping, snowshoeing, cross country skiing . . . and especially being aboard and sailing S/V Indian Summer - a full keel sailboat used to travel the warm climes of the coastal waterways of the southeastern U.S. and the Bahamas. Active in his community, Stephen was a Mason and Shriner. He dedicated many hours to his parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Colbert, cherishing his time spent with his religious study groups and the Knights of Columbus of which he was a 4th Degree Knight. Stephen served on the Spokane Association of Realtors on the Education Board and at the state level in a similar capacity. Stephen married the former Sharon Lee Muth in June 1992 at the Fairchild Air Force Base Chapel in Washington. Together Stephen and Sharon (Shari) shared many adventures during which they met and became close friends with many people across the country and the world. They were especially delighted when son Jay relocated to Spokane and welcomed his wife Mary to the Russell fold. Stephen is remembered and loved so much by his wife Sharon (Shari), son Jay and daughter-in-law Mary, Col. (Ret.) Arnie "Dad" and Mardell "Mom" Muth; brother Mark Russell and stepmother Marlene Russell; and a large extended "Muth" family of brother Arnie (Sami) Muth, sisters Nancy (John) Marquart, Mari Kay (Chad) Everitt, Patti (Mic) Ryan, nieces, nephews, godchildren and numerous friends. Visitation Monday Noon to 5PM and Tuesday 8-7pm followed by a Rosary at 7:00PM at Heritage and Mass of Christian Burial 11:00AM Wednesday Nov. 2, 2011 at St. Joseph-Colbert Catholic Church,
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